One stone by the end of June but how?

[TeenLifeMum]

I have had a stressful year and have comfort eaten my way through. I am trying to get a handle on things and set a target of 1 stone by end of June. I am struggling to decide how though! I did lose through very low carb and calorie counting a few years ago but I had to be so regimented at logging food. Is that the best way to get a grip?

any suggestions welcome.

A lot depends on where you're starting from: easy at a bigger weight and tougher the closer you are to your healthy weight.

I'd increase protein intake and don't go below 1200 calories per day. I'd also reduce the amount of salt and sugar that your eating because that increases water weight which in turn shows you a higher number on the scale.
Eat lots of filling, high volume food like fruits and vegetables, legumes, lean meats and eggs.
Look at the fat content in your marinades, sauces and salad dressings. Go for the lowest fat content, same thing with dairy products.
Protein puddings are really good for staving off dessert cravings and so is halo top ice cream.

Have a look at the Fast800 by Michael Mosley

@Perpetuallyexhaustedtoddlermum I've never heard of protein puddings before, any you recommend?

Thank you! I’m so frustrated because I’ve been running 5k twice a week (in about 34 minutes so not fast but it’s steady - in early 2020 I was doing 5k in 28 minutes but I was 2stone lighter about to run a half marathon). I also do weights but only an hour a week. If I was slim I think I’d actually be quite toned because my strength is good.

I’m hoping to run a 10k soon - might get to 8k next weekend and go from there. I feel I can go further than 5k but time is the issue.

my problem is I hardly eat in the morning (just 2 coffees, then sensible late lunch about 2pm) but then I get home and snack while I cook, eat a massive portion then carry on snacking. So snacks will be veg or fruit only and not in the evening. Bread is gone because that’s my weakness even though I hardly missed it when I cut it out before. It’s not that I have a sweet tooth… I adore all food.

@Pixiedust1234 no brand in particular but you can get some really nice ones out of Aldi and Lidl. I know Lindhals do protein yoghurt but I'm not to keen on the taste, Arla protein puddings are nice though.

I always snack if I don't eat breakfast. Or if I don't drink 2l water. I just have some plain high protein yoghurt and fruit or a protein shake for breakfast, and often have it late morning rather then first thing.

Re: evening, try intentionally eating a healthyish but filling snack like apple and peanut butter or carrots and hummus... drink lots of water. Then after dinner clean your teeth straight away and go into a room that isn't the kitchen so you're not tempted to snack.

Yes you can!

I’ve gone from 11 stone 5 lbs on 1 January to 8 stone 11 at the end of April, 2.5 stone in 4 months. Actually I’m back to 9 stone 2 lbs for the past week after lapsing with a rhubarb crumble, but I’m down from a 16 to a 12, and could wear a 10 in jeans.

Did it with the Fast Diet (5:2), weighing and logging absolutely everything on MyFitnessPal, walking the dogs 4-5 miles a day, and drinking at least a litre of water a day, with half a lemon in it. Less water definitely slows my weight loss. I have loads of fruit and veg and salad, and instead of buttered toast eg with poached eggs I have them on stir fried mushrooms and spinach. Reduced or fat-free versions of cheeses, skimmed milk in tea and coffee, porridge made with water and topped with a chopped pear and cinnamon instead of making it with milk and topping it with syrup!

Good luck!

Thanks @YourWinter

i find salad really dull but had vegetable Thai green curry tonight without rice. I drink too much Pepsi max. I find water boring but do need to drink more. In the mornings I drink black coffee then a cup of tea in the evening, sometimes herbal. Might need to up the herbal teas. Today was okay but I am thoroughly bored of thinking about dieting already.

A stone in a month? Cut out all carbs x

Apparently cutting right down on ultra processed food will help to regulate your appetite. UPF makes people over eat because it suppresses the hormone which enables you to feel full ( so it is claimed ) people who have given up UPF lose weight efficiently

I lost weight easily with Slimming World, it’s basically healthy eating,low fat spread etc. You can still eat potatoes rice pasta and there’s a low fat recipe for everything you like…. Even Big Mac in a bowl!

Im trying to do the same.

I'm trying to be as low carb as possible - it's amazing the foods that actually have carbs in them! But ditching pasta, rice, potatoes, crisps & all bread.

I've been having a strawberry & spinach smoothie around 11am, made with coconut milk.

Lunch I've had hard boiled eggs with tuna, lettuce & cucumber. An apple.

Dinner I did an omelette with cheese, bacon & mushrooms they other evening.
Chicken breast with Mushroom sauce, green beans and cauliflower the night before.

Loads and loads of water.

Cup of green tea in the morning, a normal cup of tea before bed.

Trying to eat between 12-6.

Snacks I've had slice of ham and some cheese.

Walking 20k steps a day.

Good luck, I find myself not being able to stop thinking about food!

Me too @mamatoTails i plan my day around food! I had bacon medallions and poached egg for lunch as I’ve decided to reduce carbs. Tonight it roast chicken with lots of veg.

i ran 5k last night and plan to do another 5k tonight as I know it won’t happen tomorrow or Friday as I’m working at a different site to usual an hour and a half away. Need to take lunch as usually I buy crap while there from the canteen!

Starting weight was 12st 5 (after a bad weekend with dominoes pizza - only the second time ever I’ve ordered that)

This morning I was 11st 13. My usual weight had settled around 11st10 to 11st13 so I feel I’ve lost the weekend bloat and am now focusing on actual weight loss.

Exercise 5 x per week. A mixture of Cardio and weights.
Track calories around 1300-1500. Make sure you're getting enough protein, no need to cut carbs!!
You can definitely lose a stone by end of June! I'm also on a health/fitness journey ☺️ good luck x

Short term solution Cambridge 1:1 plan

Good luck OP, please keep posting especially what you are eating/snacking on.

I've tried different protein puddings and every single one is vile. I cant get past the third teaspoonful. My worst time for snacking is evening so was hoping to swap nibbles for one of those. I say snacking...I'm actually hungry rather than mindlessly munching but I shouldnt be after a big dinner.

@Pixiedust1234 I’ve been good all week today I’m out of routine, long drive, full on day at uni (mature student around full time work and 3dc… what was I thinking?!) and long drive home. I’ve totally failed tonight. Back into it tomorrow. In will not spiral but do feel like I’ve wasted a week of opportunity. So much self sabotage when I’m tired.

you need to create a calorie deficit of around 250 - 300 calories per day. If you've been maintaining over the last 12 months and your dietary habits are fairly consistent you can probably do that by working out what you aren't going to have anymore or what you'll switch it with rather than having to do full calorie counting